Alabama coach Nick Saban steadfastly defended his signing of defensive lineman Jonathan Taylor, who has now been kicked off his second Southeastern Conference team for domestic violence arrests. Taylor, who some say should never had been on the team, was one of two Crimson Tide players arrested over the weekend. Defensive back Geno Smith was charged with the second DUI, including the second DUI of his Alabama career. A defiant Saban was unapologetic Monday about choosing to sign Taylor, who was also dismissed from Georgia before signing with Alabama for similar allegations of domestic violence.

Oklahoma has suspended running back Keith Ford indefinitely for academic and team rules violations The school and coach Bob Stoops made the announcement on Monday. Ford was Oklahoma's top rusher and one of the Sooners' top receivers last season before he broke his right leg in the third game against Tennessee and missed the next five games. Samaje Perine took over as the lead back and finished with 1,713 yards and 21 touchdowns. Ford finished last season with 392 yards and five touchdowns rushing and 140 yards and another score receiving.

Florida QB Harris returns to practice following family death (Yahoo Sports)

Florida quarterback Treon Harris has returned to practice following the shooting death of a family member. Harris missed three spring practices last week after his 16-year-old cousin was shot in Miami. Gators coach Jim McElwain says Harris is handling the situation as well as could be expected. McElwain says Harris ''felt good being back.

Quarterback Malik Zaire talked about how much talent Notre Dame has returning and quickly rattled off the name of just about every first- and second-team player on the roster except one: last year's starting quarterback Everett Golson. Zaire said the omission had nothing to do with the battle for the starting quarterback position. Coach Brian Kelly said he doesn't care how Zaire perceives the competition as long as he is focused on improving. A year ago, Golson was returning from a semester suspension and coming off a 2012 season where he helped the Fighting Irish to the national championship game, while Zaire had yet to play a college game.

Coach Chris Petersen began his second spring practice with Washington on Monday with no clue who will start at quarterback for the Huskies when the 2015 season begins. It's not the only position where Washington has questions. ''It is a seating chart, and I hope they move each practice.'' The quarterback situation for the Huskies has been in question since the end of last season when the Huskies lost 30-22 to Oklahoma State in the Cactus Bowl and Petersen declared all starting jobs, including the position of incumbent quarterback Cyler Miles, were open headed into the spring. With Miles absent but still listed on the roster, the Huskies have just three scholarship quarterbacks available.

Trailing by two points at halftime, Loyola of Chicago picked up its intensity in the second half to overcome a Louisiana-Monroe team with a noticeable height advantage. Earl Peterson scored 16 points to lead a balanced offense as the scrappy Ramblers beat the Warhawks 65-58 Monday night in the opener of the College Basketball Invitational championship series. Christian Thomas had 12 points, Montel James added 11 and Devon Turk 10 to help the Loyola (23-13) shake off a two-point halftime deficit to take command in the second half. ''I thought we were way more aggressive in the second half going north-south,'' Loyola-Chicago coach Porter Moser said.

East Tennessee State hires Wichita State assistant Forbes (Yahoo Sports)

Former Wichita State assistant Steve Forbes says he plans to build a winner at East Tennessee State by following the same formula that worked at his old school. After being introduced Monday as ETSU's coach, Forbes said he was indebted to Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall and noted that they share the same philosophies. ''He's given me a tremendous blueprint to bring here to East Tennessee State.'' Forbes replaces Murry Bartow.

Texas freshman Myles Turner says he's leaving the Longhorns after one season to enter the NBA draft. Turner announced the move Monday in a video posted on YouTube. The announcement came two days after Texas coach Rick Barnes was fired after 17 seasons. He averaged 10.1 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.6 blocks as the Longhorns went 24-10 and lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.